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All-Stars Vlad, Kinsler rest vs. Indians

All-Stars Vlad, Kinsler rest vs. Indians

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ARLINGTON -- A day after resting two of his All-Stars, Rangers manager Ron Washington did the same again Wednesday night against the Indians.

On Tuesday, Washington elected to rest All-Star shortstop Elvis Andrus and third baseman Michael Young, a Final Vote candidate. He did it again on Wednesday when he chose to give designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero and second baseman Ian Kinsler a day off.

"I talked to Vlad about this on Monday, so it was planned," Washington said. "I talked with [Kinsler] Tuesday."

Josh Hamilton took Guerrero's place at designated hitter while Andres Blanco, batting eighth, took over at second base. Taking Hamilton's place in left field was David Murphy.

Blanco and Joaquin Arias -- who took the place of Young and Andrus, respectively -- came up huge for Washington and the Rangers on Tuesday. The reserves combined for five hits with six RBIs in the Rangers' 12-1 win over the Indians.

"Yeah, they did a good job," Washington said. "They worked their butt off. They rewarded us yesterday."

Washington said it was only a matter of giving each member of his lineup a day of rest, but expected to have his full lineup, complete with five All-Stars, ready for the opening game against the Orioles on Thursday night.

"The grind that we've been through most of the past month has a lot to do with it," Washington said. "We're coming down to the end of the first half. These guys, they need a chance to catch their breath. Tomorrow, we'll have our full lineup back in there and there won't be any questions about people being off."